What is it?
Saab 9-3X
What's special about it?
Previously a car company that eschewed concept cars, Saab has done an about-face and introduced its second concept in less than six months. The 9-3X is billed as a crossover vehicle, a new segment so-named because the vehicles within combine attributes of several different classes. In the case of the 9-3X, Saab claims the sleek all-wheel-drive sport coupe has off-road ability as well as on-road prowess.
The 9-3X's face bears a resemblance to the 9X shown at the Frankfurt Auto Show, but the similarity ends there. The 9-3X has a roof that features twin (fixed) glass panels and a two-piece rear tailgate. Despite the glass-top architecture, the 9-3X can carry skis, bikes or a roof cargo box via a pair of tracks mounted between the glass sections. The clam-shell-style rear hatch reminded a few of us of a '92 Honda Civic hatchback. But the Saab has a neat feature that the old Honda lacked: a cargo floor that slides out when the bottom half of the tailgate is flipped down, making it easier on your back when loading things into the car.
Under the stout bonnet lies a turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 that makes 280 horsepower and is teamed with a five-speed automanual transmission. An intelligent four-wheel-drive system that is fully automatic sends the power to the four 20-inch wheels, which are all independently suspended. Meaty 245/40R20 Michelin Pilots get the message to the road (or trail). Saab's performance claims for the car are a 0-to-60-mph sprint of around 6 seconds and a top speed approaching 155 mph. Ventilated disc brakes with four-piston Brembo calipers are at the ready to keep the speed in check.
Why should you care?
Folks who fancy the Audi TT quattro coupe may want to wait and see what Saab does with this more versatile concept, as Saab execs stated that the 9-3X was a "springboard for future 9-3s." The suits also promised that Saab will introduce one new car concept or model each year for the next five years. — John DiPietro
Saab 9-3X
What's special about it?
Previously a car company that eschewed concept cars, Saab has done an about-face and introduced its second concept in less than six months. The 9-3X is billed as a crossover vehicle, a new segment so-named because the vehicles within combine attributes of several different classes. In the case of the 9-3X, Saab claims the sleek all-wheel-drive sport coupe has off-road ability as well as on-road prowess.
The 9-3X's face bears a resemblance to the 9X shown at the Frankfurt Auto Show, but the similarity ends there. The 9-3X has a roof that features twin (fixed) glass panels and a two-piece rear tailgate. Despite the glass-top architecture, the 9-3X can carry skis, bikes or a roof cargo box via a pair of tracks mounted between the glass sections. The clam-shell-style rear hatch reminded a few of us of a '92 Honda Civic hatchback. But the Saab has a neat feature that the old Honda lacked: a cargo floor that slides out when the bottom half of the tailgate is flipped down, making it easier on your back when loading things into the car.
Under the stout bonnet lies a turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 that makes 280 horsepower and is teamed with a five-speed automanual transmission. An intelligent four-wheel-drive system that is fully automatic sends the power to the four 20-inch wheels, which are all independently suspended. Meaty 245/40R20 Michelin Pilots get the message to the road (or trail). Saab's performance claims for the car are a 0-to-60-mph sprint of around 6 seconds and a top speed approaching 155 mph. Ventilated disc brakes with four-piston Brembo calipers are at the ready to keep the speed in check.
Why should you care?
Folks who fancy the Audi TT quattro coupe may want to wait and see what Saab does with this more versatile concept, as Saab execs stated that the 9-3X was a "springboard for future 9-3s." The suits also promised that Saab will introduce one new car concept or model each year for the next five years. — John DiPietro
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